UP registers 70,770 electric vehicles in first quarter of FY 2025–26, boosting state revenue

Uttar Pradesh, in a new record, has registered 70,770 electric vehicle registrations in the first quarter of 2025-26, Hindustan Times reported.

Despite concerns about inadequate infrastructure and policy enforcement, the state registered more than 21,000 electric two- and four-wheelers, resulting in ₹255.50 crore in tax and fee exemptions.

The state continues to lead the nation in EV adoption, but the transport department's first-quarter performance report also reveals income growth and an increase in digital transactions. However, concerns about enforcement, the sustainability of subsidies, and service delivery gaps still exist.

According to the HT, the department reports that the quarter's total revenue was ₹2,913.78 crore, a 10.39% rise from the previous year. The ₹14,000 crore annual aim may be attainable given that this represents 85.9% of the quarterly target. Despite significant EV tax breaks and interruptions from the ongoing transfer season, revenue in June alone was ₹830.15 crore, up 4.1% from June 2024.

Citing transport commissioner VN Singh, HT reported, “The sharp rise in EV registrations is no longer driven only by low-end e-rickshaws. In this quarter alone, 5,658 electric cars and 15,434 electric two-wheelers were registered, signalling a growing preference for cleaner vehicles even among mid-segment consumers.” According to him, the state of Uttar Pradesh is on track to become the largest EV base in India, with a total of 12.29 lakh EVs registered.

However, the establishment of infrastructure, particularly charging stations and e-rickshaw regulations, has not kept up with the speed of development.

The period saw a total of 1.17 lakh new transport vehicles and 9.67 lakh non-transport vehicles registered, representing growth of 16.04% and 12.41%, respectively. The number of e-cart registrations increased by 80.26%. Although economic activity and aspirational mobility are reflected in these figures, they also raise concerns about enforcement, particularly in peri-urban and rural areas where overloading and permission violations are rarely monitored, the report added.

According to the HT, more than 90% of the money was collected online, with e-challans and summonses accounting for ₹30.45 crore and driving license services for ₹84.50 crore. The agency praises this as evidence of increasing digital trust, but complaints about poor service delivery, a lack of assistance for rural users, and delays in grievance resolution continue.